Ironing machine



E. W, ROUGH IRONING MACHINE Filed Nov. 19, 1934 r 6 Sheets-Sheet l INVEN,TOR

Eoucw Aug. 2, 1938.

E. W. ROUCH min I INVENTOR [ms-e577 h! EoucH ATTORNEY E. W. ROUCH IRON ING MACHINE Aug. z, 1938.

Filed Nov. 19, 1934 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 QWN WNW

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INVENTOR [VEEETZ' Weave/1 ATTORNEY -Aug."2, 1938. I E. w. ROUCH 2,125,585

' IRONING MACHINE Filed Nov. 19, 1934 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR Ems-e577 h! Eouc'h' ATTORNEY Patented Aug 2 1938 PATENT OFFICE IRONING MACHINE Everett W. Rouch, Detroit, Micln, assignor to Hydraulic Brake Company, Detroit, Micln, a corporation of California Application November 19, 1934', Serial N 0. 753,756

Claims.

This invention relates to ironing machines and more particularly to ironing machines for domestic purposes.

Broadly the invention comprehends an ironing 6 machine including cooperative ironing elements and a fluid pressure system for actuating both elements.

In the illustrated embodiment an ironing head .is manually movable into operative position, a buck is arranged for cooperation with the head,

and the head and buck are actuated by a hydraulic system including a pair of fluid pressure motors for actuating the buck and a fluid pressure motorfor actuating the head and a fluid 5 pressure producing device for actuating the motors.

An object of the invention is to provide an ironing machine including cooperative ironing elements, and fluid pressure means for actuating both elements.

Another object of the invention is to provide an ironing machine including cooperative ironing elements, fluid pressure means for actuating both elements, and manually operative means actuated by the fluid pressure means.

Another object of the invention is to provide an ironing machine including cooperative ironing elements, one manually movable into and from operative position, and fluid pressure means for simultaneously actuating both elements, with equalized force to create an ironing pressure between the elements.

Other objects and features of the invention will appear .from the following description taken.

in connection with the drawings forming a pa of this specification, and in which- Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of an iron ing machine embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view in section illus- 0 trating the mechanism for locking the head in any one of a plurality of operative positions.

Figure 3 is a detail view on line 3-,3, Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view, partly Figure 9 is a vertical sectional view substantially on line 99, Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a sectional view substantially on line Ill-l0, Figure 8; v

Figure 11 is a sectional view substantially on line ll-Il, Figure 8; and

Figure 12 is a diagrammatical illustration of the electrical circuit for the machine.

Referring to the drawings for more specific details of the invention, l0 represents a frame having a sump l2 at one end and a hollow upwardly extending column l4 at its other end. The upper end of the column I4 terminates in a spherical portion [6, the object of which will hereinafter appear. The frame is supported by a column l8, fltted in a sleeve 20 suitably secured to the frame concentric to the column I4, and corresponding legs 22 secured respectively to the sides of the frame.

A top 24 supported by the frame has an opening for the reception of the column l4, and an upwardly extended frustro-conical portion 26 having an opening 28 in the top thereof registering with the sump l2. The top also has an apron 30 which together with a shield 32 suitably secured to the frame conceals from view the operating mechanism of the machine.

A fluid pressure producing device, indicated generally at 34, is suitably mounted in the sump I2. This device includes a reservoir 36 having a cover 38 provided with a concentric opening 40. The cover is held against displacement by a retaining ring 42 seated in a circumferential groove in the wall of the reservoir adjacent the open end thereof.

A piston 44 reciprocable in the reservoir has a concentric sleeve 46 extending through its head. A leak-proof cup 48 on the head of the piston is retained against displacement by a circumferential flange 50 on the sleeve, and a hollow rod 52 threaded in the sleeve extends upwardly through the opening 40 in the cover of the reservoir, and this rod is closed as by a plug 54. A spring 56, interposed between the'cover 38 and the back of the piston 44, urges the piston toward the bottom of the reservoir and imposes pressure on the fluid in the reservoir. By removing the plug 54 and retracting the piston, the reservoir may be filled through the rod 52.

Formed in the base of the reservoir is a compound cylinder 56 including a large chamber 58 and a small chamber 60, arranged coaxially to and communicating with one another. The large chamber 58 has ports 62 and 64 providing communications between the large chamher and the reservoir, and the small chamber has a discharge port 66 controlled by a check valve 68.

A reciprocable piston 18 is fitted in the compound cylinder 56. This piston is held against displacement by a retaining ring 12 fitted in a groove in the wall of the cylinder adjacent the open end thereof. The piston 18 has a head 14 and a head 16 spaced apart by a sleeve 18. The head 14 has a skirt provided with radial flanges 88 between which is fitted a leak-proof cup 82,

which inhibits the passage of fluid from the open end of the cylinder 56. As shown, a portion of the skirt is reduced in diameter to provide in conjunction with the wall of the cylinder an annular chamber 84. This chamber communicates with the reservoir 36 by way of port 82.

The head 14 of the piston 18 has a plurality of ports 86 providing communications between the annular chamber 84 and that portion of the chamber 58 forward of the head 14, and a collapsible leak-proof cup 88 fitted in a circumferential groove in the piston controls the ports 86. The

cup 88 is normally held against the head 14 by a relatively light spring 88 interposed between the cup and a stop 82 fitted in a circumferential groove in the piston.

A plug 94 suitably secured in the skirt of the piston provides in conjunction with the skirt of the piston a chamber 96 which communicates with the sleeve 18. The chamber 96 has a port 98 providing a communication between the chamber 96 and the annular chamber 84. The chamber 96 also has a plurality of ports I88, providing communications between the chamber 96 and that portion of the chamber 58 forward of the piston head 14.

The head 16 of the piston is fitted in the small chamber 68. This head has a plurality of ports I82 providing communications between the larger chamber 58 and the smaller chamber 68. The head 16 has an extension I84 provided with a passage I86. The passage I86 provides a communication between the sleeve 18 and the smaller chamber 68. A collapsible leak-proof cup I-88 on the piston head 16 is retained against displacement by a flange II8 on the extension I84, and interposed between the flange H8 and thehead of the smaller chamber 68 is a spring II2 for urging the piston to its retracted position.

A reciprocable piston H4 in the sleeve 18 has on its head a leak-proof cup I I6 held against displacement by a spring I I8 interposed between the cup and the back of the piston head 16. The piston I I4 carries a valve I28 held against its seat I22 by a heavy spring I24.

A recess I26 in the plug 94 threaded in the skirt of the piston receives one end of a thrust rod I28, the other end of which is pivotally attached to an arm I38 keyed or otherwise secured to a shaft I32 journaled in a suitable bearing I34 on the frame l8. An operating lever I 36, keyed or otherwise secured to the shaft I32, has suitably attached thereto an extension I38, and secured to the free end of this extension is a knob or hand grip I48. Upon depressing the lever I36 the shaft I32 is moved through an angle, and this movement is transmitted through the arm I38 and thrust rod I28 to move the piston 18 on its compression stroke.

A valve chamber I42 formed in the base of the reservoir has a port I44 which provides a communication between the valve chamber and the reservoir, and a port I46, the purpose of which placement by a plug I58 threaded in the open end of the chamber. ferential groove I52 and a plurality of ports I54 providing communications between the circumferential groove I52 and the interior of the cage. As shown, the cage has a head I56 located between. the ports I44 and I46, and the head has a concentric port I58. A leak-proof cup I68 on the head I56 of the valve cage has a concentric opening, and the perimeter defining this opening overhangs the perimeter defining the port I58. Another leak-proof cup I62 is seated on the head of the valve chamber and a spring I64 interposed between the cups I68 and I62 retains the cups against displacement to effectively seal that portion of the chamber I42 between the cups I68 and I62.

A valve I66 has a portion I68 adapted to enter the port I58 in the head I56 of the valve cage and engage the overhanging perimeter of the leakproof cup I68 to effectively seal the valve when it is in closed position. The valve has a stem I18 which extends through the head of the valve chamber I42. This stem has suitably secured thereon a collar I12, and sleeved on the valve stem between the collar and the head of the valve chamber I42 is a spring I14 which urges the valve to its closed position.

The free end of the valve stem abuts a screw I16 threaded in an arm I18 keyed or otherwise secured to the shaft I32. As shown, the arm I18 has a notch I88 for the reception of a springpressed plunger I82 suitably mounted on the frame I8. When the plunger I82 engages the notch I88 the operating lever I36 is retained in neutral position.

A cylinder I84 formed at the base of the reservoir 36 is closed at one end as by a head I86 and open at its other end. This cylinder has a port I88 providing a communication between the valve chamber I42 and the cylinder I46. A piston I98 reciprocable in the cylinder I84 is held against displacement by a retaining ring I92 fitted in a circumferential groove in the wall of the cylinder adjacent the open end thereof. A leak-proof cup I94 on the head of the piston I98 is held against displacement by a spring I96. This spring also serves to return the piston to its retracted position. Formed in the back of the piston is a recess 7 I98 for the reception of one end of a thrust rod 288, the other end of which is suitably secured to a forked member 282. This forked member is pivotally connected to one end of a link 284, the other end of which is pivotally connected to a bracket 286 mounted on the frame I8. The link 284 is limited in its movement by a pin 288 adapted to engage the bracket, and connected between the forked member 282 and a fixed support 2I8 is a spring 2 I2. This spring actuates the thrust rod 288 to normally retain the piston I98 in its retracted position.

A buck support 2 bolted or otherwise secured to the reservoir 36 includes an elongated receptacle. This receptacle has mounted in the respective ends thereof fluid pressure actuator motors 2I6 and 2I8. Each of the motors includes a cylinder 228 and a piston 222 reciprocable in the cylinder. The piston is provided with a head 224 having an extension 226 on which is fitted a leakproof cup 228. The extension 226 has a diametral bore 238 communicating with an axial bore 232 extending through the piston and the extension. A bleeder screw 234 is threaded in the bore 232 in the piston and fitted on the back of the piston is a cap 236 enclosing the bleeder screw 234. As

This valve cage has 'a circum- I to the discharge port of the compound cylinder 56 with the check valve 68 interposed, and by a conduit 248 to the port I46 in the valve chamber I42.

A buck 250 has formed on the back thereof a flange 252 telescoping the buck'support, and pressure plates 254 are arranged on the back of the buck to provide bearing surfaces for the caps 236 on the pistons of the fluid pressure motors 2 I 6 and 2I8. The buck also has suitably arranged on the back thereof corresponding sleeves 256 embraced by' suitable guides 258 formed'on the wall of the cylinders of the respective fluid pressure motors Rods 260 suitably secured in the bottom of the receptacle or buck support '2I4 extend upwardly into the sleeve 256. As shown, the rods have heads 262, and sleeved on the rods between the heads 262 and retaining rings 264 seated in circumferential grooves in the sleeves adjacent the open ends thereof are coiled springs 266. The springs 266 serve to retain the buck M4 on the caps 236 on the back of the pistons 222 in the cylinders 220 and to return the pistons 222 to their retracted positions.

An ironing head 268 adaptable for cooperation with the buck 250 is pivotally connected to. oppositely disposed horns 210 formed on one end of a hollow arm 212, the other end of which is flared as indicated at 214 for the reception of the spherical portion I6 of the column I4 The arm 212 has an internal web 216 and this web. has an 'integral arm 218. This arm extends downward into the column I4 and is pivoted to the spherical portion I6 of the column I4. A yoke 280 is pivoted on the arm 218 and is connected by coil springs 282 to an adjustable member 284 mounted on the frame I0.

Upon the completion of an ironing operation, the springs 282 actuate the arm 212 to move the head 268 to the elevated or inoperative position. A bell crank lever 286' is pivoted on the frame I0.-

One leg of this bellcrank lever is pivotally connected to one end of a link 288, the other end of which is pivotally connected to the arm 218. The

other end of the bellcrank lever carries a pin 280 adapted to enter the forked member 202 when the head is lowered into operative position. To I facilitate in lowering the head into operative position, a rod 282 is attached to the arm 212 between the horns 210, and suitably secured to the free end of the rod-is a knob or hand grip 284.

A fluid pressure switch 286 communicates with the coupling 244 and is connected in a circuit 288 including a lamp 306 housed in the arm 212 back of an opening having therein a colored glass 302. The circuit 288 is tappedofi of a circuit 304 including a heating element 306 arranged within theironing head 268 and a rheostat 308 mounted on the head 268. The circuit 302 may be connected to any suitable source of electrical supply.

In operation, assuming that the fluid pressure system is filled with fluid, that the circuit 304.

is connected to a suitable source of electrical supply, that the ironing head is in the elevated or inoperative position, and that the buck is in the position of rest wherein the pistons 222 of the fluid pressure motors 2I6 and 2I8 are in retracted position in which position the buck is held against the pistons by the springs 266; under these conditions, the operator places the work upon the buck and lowers the head 268 into operative position, which position variesaccording to the thicknessof the work.

Upon movement of the head into operative posi- I tion, the arm 212 and the arm 218 integral therewith is moved through an angle. This movement of the arms 212 and 218 places the return springs 282 under tension and transmits force through the link 288 to the bell crank lever 286 to move this lever through an angle. As thebell crank lever moves, the pin 280 thereon engages the forked member 202 and retracts the thrust rod 200, resulting in releasing the piston I80.

After moving the head into operative position, the operator applies force to the lever I36 by pressing downward on the hand grip I 40. This movement of the lever I36 rocks the shaft I32 'and moves the arm I30 through an angle. This movement of the arm I30 transmits force through the thrust rod I28 to move the piston 10 on its compression stroke. Simultaneously therewith, the arm I18 is rocked through an angle, and this movement of the arm I18 disengages the springpressed plunger I82 from the notch I80.

During the initial movement of the piston 10 on its compression stroke, the leak-proof cup 88 ,on the head 14 of the piston covers the port 64,

Further increase of pressure results in actuation of the pistons 222 in the motors 2I6 and 2I8 and the consequent movement of the buck 250 against the head 268; Simultaneously therewith, pressure is built up in the cylinder I84 against the face of the piston I90, resulting in applying force through the thrust rod 200 to the bell crank lever 286 retaining the lever 286 against movement, thus effectively retaining the head in operative position. Movement of the buck is the result of displacement of fluid due to initial movement of the piston 10, and further movement of the piston 10 create-s suflicient pressure between the buck and the head to effectively iron the work. The buck is moved against the resistance of the springs 266, resulting in compressing the springs between the heads 262 on the rods 260 and the retaining rings 264.

As the piston 10 is moved upon its compression stroke, a predetermined pressure is obtained whereupon the piston I I4 is actuated by fluid under pressure in the chamber 58 resulting in tripping the valve I20 and thereby rendering the head v14 of the piston ineffective for producing .pressure, the fluid forward of the'head 14 being returned to the reservoir by way of the ports' I00, chamber 86, port 88, chamber 84 and port I 62. As the piston proceeds on its compression stroke the fluid under pressure in the chamber 60 operates-against the piston II4 to retain the valve I20 in open position.

This transition of pressure occurs over a rela tively wide range depending entirely upon the relation of the area of the piston II 4 to the area sure for a suflicient period of iron the'work of the valve I28. Because of the restricted openings I08 providing communications between the chamber 5& and the valve I28, sudden movement of the piston Ill on its compression stroke wili not cause actuation of the valve I20.

, When the pressure between the ironing elements reaches apredetermined degree, the fluid under pressure in the system' actuates the fluid pressure switch 296 to-close the circuit 298. This results in lighting the lamp 388 which gives a visualindication that the required pressure between the ironing elements has been attained.

Upon release of the applied force the check valve 68 maintains the pressure at a predetermined degree, and ,after'maintaining the prestime to effectively the operator raises the lever I36. This movement of the lever I36 is transmitted to the shaft I32, resulting in moving the arm I36, and this movement of the arm retracts the thrust pin I28. As the thrust pin I28 is retracted, the piston 16 is returned to its normal or retracted position under the influence of the spring Ill2.

As the piston 2 tion the cups 88 and drawn from the reservoir chamber 84, ports 86, past the chamber 58 forward oi the head l4, thence through ports I82 in the piston head 16, past the cup I88, into thewchamber 68, filling the cham- 0 returns to its retracted posi- I08 c0llapse,-and fluid is 36 through the port 62,

bers 58 and 60 tor subsequent operation. When:

the piston 10 is iully'retracted, the cup 88 uncovers the port 64 and any surplus fluid in the cylinder is returned through this port to the reservoir. w j

Upon further movement -of the operating lever I36 in the same directionlthe shaft is moved through an angle, and this movement is transmitted to the arm I18 on the shaft I32 to trip the valve I66, whereupon pressure on the fluid in the motors 2I6 and 2I8 and in the cylinder I84 is released. Upon tripping the valve I66 the fluid in the cylinder I84 and the motors H5 and 258 is returned from the cylinder I84 and the motors .2I6 and 2I8 to the'reservoir. The fiuid is returned from the cylinder I84 through the port I88 to the valve chamber I42, and from thence past the valve II6 through port I44 to the reservoir, and from the motors 2I6 and H8 through the conduits 240 and 242 and coupling 244 and conduit 246 to the valve chamber I42, thence past the valve I66, through the port I44 to the reservoir. Due to the tension on the springs 266 connected between the'buck and the support, these springs serve to retain the buck on the pistons of the fluid pressure motors and to return the buck to its' normal position.

Upon release of pressure on the fluid in the cylinder I8 the springs 282 become effective to return the head 268 to elevated or inoperative position. As the head returns to inoperative po- I 290 on the bell crank lever 286 dis- 282 on the end of the thrust pin 206, whereupon the spring 2I2 becomes effective to actuate the thrust tcd 200 to partlydischarge fluid .from the cylinder I88 through-port l88 into valve chamber I44, and through the ports I54, circumferential groove I52, and port I44, into the reservoir.

sition the pin engages the fork cup 88- into the pressure past the valve I66,

While the invention has been described in connection with certain specific embodiments, the principles involved are susceptible of numerous other applications that will readily occur to persons skilled in the art. The invention is, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the various features of the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. An ironing machine comprising cooperative ironing elements, a fluid pressure actuated motor operatively connected to one of the elements, a fluid pressure actuated motor yieldingly supporting and operative to actuate the other element, and a fluid pressure producing device operatively connected to the motors for simultaneous actuation thereof.

2. An ironing machine comprising an ironing head, a buck for cooperation with the head, means supporting the head for movement into and from operative position, means tending to move the head from operative position, fluid pressure motors for actuating the buck, a fluid pressure motor for actuating the head, a fluid pressure producing device for actuating the motors concomitantly, and manual means for-operating the fluid pressure producing device.

3. An ironing machine comprising an ironing head, a buck for cooperation therewith, means supporting the head for movement into and from operative position, means tending to move the head from operative position, force multiplying means connected to the supporting means, fluid pressure motors for actuating the buck, a fluid pressure motor for actuating the force applying means, a fluid pressure producing device for actuating the motors, and manual means for actuating the fluid pressure producing device.

4. An ironing machine comprising an ironing head, a buck for cooperation therewith, means supporting the head for movement into and fromating the force applying linkage, a fluid pressure producing device for actuating the motors, and a manually operative means for actuating the fluid pressure producing device.

5. An ironing machine comprising an ironing head, a buck for cooperation therewith, means supporting the head for movement into and from operative position, manually operated means for moving the head into operative position, means tending to move the head from operative position, a bell crank lever, linkage connecting the lever to the supporting means, fluid pressure motors for actuating the buck, a fluid pressure motor for actuating the bell crank lever, a fluid producing device for actuating the motors, and manually operative means for actuating the fluid pressure producing device.

EVERETT W. ROUGH. 

